The National Garifuna Council Youth Arm 10th Convention

July 11- 13th, 2008

Hopkins, Belize

 

Friday

Member from Libertad, Belize City, and Dangriga, arrived in Hopkins Village at approximately 4:00 p.m.  They were all welcomed by the President of the Hopkins Branch, Mr. Chris and Vice, Ms.  Lauren Ogladez. 

 

Members were able to be registered with the secretary, Ms. Roselin Morris, after which they were told where they would be hosted. 

 

At about 5:30 p.m. the opening ceremony began with the members singing the National Anthem in Garifuna, after which, the Our Father was sung in Garifuna.  Among the presenters at the opening ceremony we had Ms.  Nisha Lewis who enlightened the youths present with her words of advice and encouragement.  Also present was Ms. Garifuna, Hopkins and the Chairperson of the village, who welcomed us to beautiful Hopkins. 

 

 

Master of Ceremony was Mr.  Marlon Melendrez.

 

At around 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m, a social was held at the community center.  The social included icebreakers and competitions between branches such as:  singing and dancing contest.  Members that entered the different competition included:  Whitney Benguche, Tanya Vicente, Effendi, Domingo Valerio, and Perla Cayetano. 

 

DANCE!!!!!!   DANCE!!!!!!!!  DANCE!!!!!!!!!!  DANCE!!!!!!!!!!    DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!

View Pictures....Here

 

 

Saturday

The morning began with breakfast from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Belfuna Kitchen.  Members then moved to the School grounds, where the practicing of the different Garifuna dances was done.  This session was led by two members of Lirahiun Chatoyer Dance Group.  The dance session was done in place of the Mali because the acting Buyei was preparing for a Dugu. 

 

From 9- 10:30 a.m.   A review of the strategic plan for the NGCYA was done.  This was led by Mrs. Dativa Martinez and Mrs.  Judith Cayetano.  During her presentation,  Mrs.  Dativa mentioned that she like the fact that the youths present are unified.

 

Members in the audience were given an opportunity to mention what they would like to see happen to the NGCYA in 20018.  The following were mentioned.

 

·         Togetherness

·         Self-sufficiency

·         More participants involved

·         More productive/organized

·         Garifuna language/ culture revival

·         Communication: NGC-NGCYA

·         Role Models- Arts and Craft/ Sewing/ cooking

·         Dedicated members. 

 

All the above were looked upon and tied into the strategic plan that was created by executive leaders in a leadership workshop that was held in Hopkins. 

Members were then placed into five groups, whereby their responsibility was to look at one objective given from the strategic plan and come up with 1-2 activities that will allow the objective to be fulfilled.  For each activity group members were to look at the following questions. 

 

 

 

After, Mr.  Ludwig Palacio did a presentation on ‘Hands on Activities’.  During his presentation, Mr.  Ludwig presented on things we can make using our natural resources.  He also showed pictures of things he has created e.g. using biogas created from pig feces, and the monument, Wani, in his yard.  Mr.  Ludwig emphasized the fact that we are rich in our country because of the natural things we have around us.  He also emphasized to the youths that they should not anyone tell them that it is impossible to create or do something.  Always look at it as a challenge. 

 

Break for lunch: Members had a variety to choose from.  Bundiga, Darasa, White Rice, Pigtail and fish

 

Session resumed at 1:45 p.m. 

 

A panel discussion was held on educational opportunities.  Members of the panel were:  Marlon Melendrez, Nisha Lewis, Doreth and Sheena.  They discussed the experience they have studying abroad in different areas.  Their experiences ranged from being home sick and getting use to a totally different culture to meeting new people and learning new values in life.  It was surely a successful panel discussion. 

 

Mr. Oscar Reyes then presented on the different scholarships that are available for youths.  These include:

 

 

At 3:30 p.m. Mr.  Roy Cayetano led a discussion on the History of Garifuna Culture.  A few highlights from his discussion are:

 

 

Dates to remember:

1635- Slavery- African input into St. Vincent due to slave ship wreck.

 

1795- Carib Wars, death of Chatoyer

 

July 1796- Balicaeux- very special in history because that is where our ancestors experienced the deep pain of suffering.  Over 5.000 were incarcerated. 

 

11th March, 1797- sent 10 ships (HMS experiment) were sent to take ancestors from Balicaeux

 

12th April, 1797- Approximately 2,200 from the 5,000  ancestors arrived in Roatan.  They were left alone to survive. 

 

1802- First presence of Garifuna in Belize.

 

Mr. Roy mentioned that we should be proud when they say that our ancestors were dangerous because we were good fighters and free while others lived in slavery.  He also mentioned that up to 1859, the southern boundary of the settlement was the Sibun River.  During that time, The Garinagu were not welcomed so the settled south of the Sibun River.

Thank you was done publicly by Ms.  Roselin Morris

 

 

4:30 p.m.  Sporting Activities 

A few members were able to partake in different sporting activities while uniting with each other.  Some of the games played were:

 

 

Supper was served at 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

 

The variety show planned for the night was cancelled due to lack of participation from different branches.  This gave the members opportunity to watch a basketball tournament that was held in Hopkins. 

View Pictures....Here

 

 

Sunday

7:00- 8:30 a.m.  Breakfast was served

 

 

After breakfast, members were again led to the school grounds where a prayer service was done.  This prayer service was led by Mr. James, treasurer.   During the service, different members were given the opportunity to lift up a prayer.  The Our Father was also sung. 

 

Presentation of the strategic plan-action plan was done by each group.  Copies of groups’ decisions will be forwarded.

 

Presentation on the Regional Action Plan was done by Emeni Cayetano and Merli Lopez. Presenters mentioned that the purpose of the trip to Panama was to identify ways to strengthen ourselves as black youths.  While doing so, the Regional Action plan was created in collaboration with CABO/ONECA. 

 

Emeni also spoke about issues that the participants believed were top priority. 

 

 

At the end of the session the president, Ms.  Sharon Valentine presented 2 members with gifts for participating with enthusiasm in all activities done.  These two were Effendi from Belmopan Branch.  He was given a Binoculars and Tanya Vicente was given a Bath and Body Works gift set.    

 

The venue for next year’s convention:   Libertad.  Belmopan is plan B. 

 

Mr. Marlon Melendrez made a final comment that the executive branch should work on getting T-shirts for next year’s convention. 

 

Everyone then assembled at the Belfuna Kitchen to eat lunch.  Members departed Hopkins around 1:00 p.m.

View Pictures....Here